Leadership = Influence (Dr Paul Hersey on “Situational Leadership”)

In a stunning display of endurance and personal effort, faced with the world’s worst microphone, but powered by an enthusiastic exhibition audience, Dr Paul Hersey (one half of the famous Hersey-Blanchard duo) explained at ASTD2012 ICE how…

Leadership is basically one key skill: Influence…

Good leaders exert influence by adapting their style on the basis of two main things: Task result/goal-driven leadership or Collaborative/relational dialogue-driven behaviour. In my experience, most people have a natural preference to lead and be led in a way that sits somewhere on the continuum between these two things…

Depending on the current development level of the people you are trying to influence (with regard to the task at hand) one of 4 styles will therefore be required…

When using these different styles, it will be important to pay attention to simple guidelines:

If “telling”, it is important to explain how things should be done (LIKE THIS)

When “proposing”, to OFFER your own idea means you ask for and accept feedback

“Asking” (which the rest of the world calls “coaching”) is all about getting the other person to find solutions for themselves (NOT MAKING PROPOSALS) …if they are not able, the leader may go back to proposing

“Delegating” implies handing over a task with NO CONTROL

A good leader is able to observe the development levels and needs of the person to be led (with regard to the task) and use the right leadership style. Development levels are defined in terms of commitment to the task (understanding and motivation) and ability to do the task.

By adapting styles according to the development level of the person (for the task), we increase and maintain motivation and develop people toward high performance… ..until ultimately, they don’t need any more leading and we can let them go!

For more information and to learn the relevant skills associated with Situational Leadership, check out www.klu.be and follow the course “Working with People” ….with me :-)